Rack for bicycle and bicycle with rack

ABSTRACT

A rack for a bicycle or a bicycle with a rack comprises a rack body configured to be supported above a rear wheel of the bicycle. The rack body can be supported by side portions that extend along and straddle the rear wheel and are coupled to the bicycle. The rack can comprise a deck portion that extends in a longitudinal direction of the bicycle above the rear wheel. One or more carrier arms can be coupled to the rack at forward and/or rearward ends. In some configurations, a carrier arm can be provided on each side of the front and rear of the rack. The carrier arms can be rotatable or otherwise adjustable with respect to the rack body.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claimis identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the presentapplication are hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a partof the present disclosure.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present invention relates generally to bicycles and, in particular,to a rack for a bicycle or a bicycle with a rack.

Description of Related Art

Racks are often used with bicycles to carry objects. The racks often arepositioned above the front wheel or the rear wheel of the bicycle.However, a need exists for improved rack designs that fit a widervariety of bicycles, are more easily or quickly adjusted, allow more ordifferent types of cargo to be carried, or simply provide the publicwith a useful choice.

SUMMARY

The systems, methods and devices described herein have innovativeaspects, no single one of which is indispensable or solely responsiblefor their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of theclaims, some of the advantageous features will now be summarized.

A rack for a bicycle or a bicycle with a rack comprises a rack bodyconfigured to be supported above a rear wheel of the bicycle. The rackbody can be supported by side portions that extend along and straddlethe rear wheel and are coupled to the bicycle frame. The rack cancomprise a deck portion that extends in a longitudinal direction of thebicycle above the rear wheel.

One or more carrier arms can be coupled to the rack at forward and/orrearward ends. In some configurations, a carrier arm can be provided oneach side of the front and rear of the rack. The carrier arms can berotatable or otherwise adjustable with respect to the rack body. Thisfeature allows a distance and/or a height between front and rear carrierarms to be adjusted. In some configurations, the carriers arms comprisea cradle that allows boards or board-like objects (e.g., surfboards,stand-up paddle boards, skateboards, etc.) to be carried.

In some configurations, the rack can support an umbrella holder or anintegrated umbrella. The umbrella holder can be supported on the deck ofthe rack.

In some configurations, the forward end of the rack can be coupled tothe seat post, seat tube or other portion of the bicycle frame by anadjustable connector. The adjustable connector can be rotatable relativeto the forward end of the rack. The adjustable connector can have aclamp that is rotatable relative to a main body or arm portion of theadjustable connector. With such an arrangement, the adjustable connectorcan be fit to a wide variety of bicycle types, sizes or geometries.

In some configurations, a bicycle rack comprises a rack body configuredto be supported above a wheel of the bicycle. A pair of side portions isconfigured to extend along and straddle opposite sides of the wheel ofthe bicycle. Each of the pair of side portions is coupled to thebicycle. A deck portion is configured to extend in a longitudinaldirection of the bicycle above the wheel. A first set of carrier arms iscoupled to a side of the rack body and a second set of carrier arms iscoupled to an opposite side of the rack body. At least one of each ofthe first set of carrier arms and the second set of carrier arms isadjustable relative to the rack body.

In some configurations, each of the first set and the second set ofcarrier arms comprises an individual carrier arm at each of a forwardend and a rearward end of the rack body.

In some configurations, the adjustable carrier arms are rotatable withrespect to the rack body.

In some configurations, the adjustable carrier arms are movable betweena plurality of discrete adjustment positions.

In some configurations, the adjustable carrier arms are movable betweenthe plurality of discrete adjustment positions without the use of tools.

In some configurations, each of the individual carrier arms of at leastone of the first and second set of carrier arms comprise a U-shapedcradle.

In some configurations, the rack body supports an umbrella holder.

In some configurations, the umbrella holder is supported on an uppersurface of the deck.

In some configurations, the rack body supports an umbrella.

In some configurations, an adjustable connector is configured to connecta forward end of the rack to a seat post, a seat tube or another portionof the bicycle.

In some configurations, the adjustable connector is rotatable relativeto the forward end of the rack.

In some configurations, each of the side portions is connectable to anaxle of the bicycle by a bracket, further comprising an axle nut and anend cap, wherein the end cap is connectable to the axle nut to capturethe bracket between the axle nut and the end cap.

In some configurations, a bicycle comprises a bicycle frame supporting afront wheel and a rear wheel. A handlebar is configured to steer thefront wheel. The bicycle includes a seat. A rack body is configured tobe supported above the rear wheel of the bicycle. A pair of sideportions is configured to extend along and straddle opposite sides ofthe rear wheel of the bicycle. Each of the pair of side portions iscoupled to the bicycle. A deck portion is configured to extend in alongitudinal direction of the bicycle above the rear wheel. A first setof carrier arms is coupled to a side of the rack body and a second setof carrier arms is coupled to an opposite side of the rack body. Atleast one of each of the first set of carrier arms and the second set ofcarrier arms is adjustable relative to the rack body.

In some configurations, the adjustable carrier arms are rotatable withrespect to the rack body.

In some configurations, the adjustable carrier arms are movable betweena plurality of discrete adjustment positions.

In some configurations, each of the individual carrier arms of at leastone of the first and second set of carrier arms comprise a U-shapedcradle.

In some configurations, the rack body supports an umbrella.

In some configurations, the umbrella is configured to extend from thehandlebar to a location vertically above the rear wheel of the bicycle.

In some configurations, an adjustable connector is configured to connecta forward end of the rack to a seat post, a seat tube or another portionof the bicycle.

In some configurations, each of the side portions is connectable to anaxle of the rear wheel of the bicycle by a bracket, further comprisingan axle nut and an end cap, wherein the end cap is connectable to theaxle nut to capture the bracket between the axle nut and the end cap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Throughout the drawings, reference numbers can be reused to indicategeneral correspondence between reference elements. The drawings areprovided to illustrate example embodiments described herein and are notintended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a side and top perspective view of a bicycle incorporated arack having certain features, aspects and advantages of the preferredembodiments.

FIG. 2 is a side, rear and top perspective view of the bicycle with rackof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side, front and bottom perspective view of the bicycle withrack of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a forward portion of the bicycle with rackof FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rack of FIG. 1 separate from thebicycle.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the rack of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the rack of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rack of FIG. 5 as viewed from thefront.

FIG. 9 is a side and top perspective view of a bicycle rack havingcertain features, aspects and advantages of the preferred embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a side, rear and top perspective view of the bicycle rack ofFIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the rack of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the rack of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a replacement axle nut.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the replacement axle nut of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an end cap for the replacement axle nutof FIG. 9.

FIG. 16 is an end view of the end cap of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the end cap of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of systems, components and methods of assembly andmanufacture will now be described with reference to the accompanyingfigures, wherein like numerals refer to like or similar elementsthroughout. Although several embodiments, examples and illustrations aredisclosed below, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in theart that the inventions described herein extends beyond the specificallydisclosed embodiments, examples and illustrations, and can include otheruses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalentsthereof. The terminology used in the description presented herein is notintended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner simplybecause it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description ofcertain specific embodiments of the inventions. In addition, embodimentsof the inventions can comprise several novel features and no singlefeature is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or isessential to practicing the inventions herein described.

Certain terminology may be used in the following description for thepurpose of reference only, and thus are not intended to be limiting. Forexample, terms such as “above” and “below” refer to directions in thedrawings to which reference is made. Terms such as “front,” “back,”“left,” “right,” “rear,” and “side” describe the orientation and/orlocation of portions of the components or elements within a consistentbut arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to thetext and the associated drawings describing the components or elementsunder discussion. Moreover, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,”and so on may be used to describe separate components. Such terminologymay include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof,and words of similar import.

With reference to FIGS. 1-8, a bicycle 10 has a frame 12, a front wheel14, a rear wheel 16, a handlebar 18 and a seat or saddle 20. The bicycle10 includes a rack 22, which can be a separate structure from or anintegrated structure with the bicycle 10. The rack 22 can include aboard carrying portion suitable for carrying boards, board-like objectsor other somewhat elongate and/or somewhat thin objects, such assurfboards 24 and beach chairs 26. In some configurations, the rack 22can support an umbrella 28.

The rack 22 comprises a rack body 30 configured to be supported abovethe rear wheel 16 of the bicycle 10. The rack body 30 can be supportedby side portions, struts or frames 32 that extend generally verticallyalong and straddle the rear wheel 16. A lower end of each of the sideportions 32 is coupled to the bicycle frame 12, such as to a fender orrack mounting tab of the bicycle frame 12. However, other mountingarrangements can also be used, such as an axle mount arrangement, asdescribed below. In some configurations, the side portions 32 can beintegrated (e.g., welded) with the bicycle frame 12.

The rack 22 can comprise a deck portion 34 that extends in alongitudinal direction of the bicycle 10 above the rear wheel 16. Thedeck portion 34 can be a generally planar structure and can have alength that is equal to or greater than at least one-half of a diameterof the rear wheel 16 of the bicycle 10. The length of the deck portion34 can be approximately the same as the diameter of the rear wheel 16.The deck portion 34 can have a relatively narrow width that can begreater than the width of the rear wheel 16, but less than about 12inches or less than about 8 inches.

One or more carrier arms 40 can be coupled to the rack 22 at forwardand/or rearward ends. In some configurations, a carrier arm 40 can beprovided on each side of the front and each side of the rear of the rack22. One or more of the carrier arms 40 can be rotatable or otherwiseadjustable with respect to the rack body 30, such as by one or morerotational clamp(s) 42. In some configurations, a rotational clamp 42 isprovided for each carrier arm 40 such that each is independentlyadjustable. In some configurations, the rotational clamp 42 can supporttwo or more of the carrier arms 40, but can permit separate adjustmentof two or more of the carrier arms 40. That is, it is not necessary tohave separate rotational clamps 42 for each carrier arm 40 in order toprovide for separate adjustment. This feature allows a distance and/or aheight between front and rear carrier arms 40 to be adjusted. In someconfigurations, some (e.g., the front) carrier arms 40 can be adjustableand some (e.g., the rear) can be fixed, or vice versa.

In some configurations, the carrier arms 40 comprise a carrier portionor object support, which in some cases can be a cradle. However, inother arrangements, the carrier portion can take on other shapessuitable for carrying other objects. For example, the carrier portioncould be a platform, a box or other receptacle, or any other suitablearrangement. In the illustrated arrangement, the cradle comprises aU-shaped portion 44, which allows boards or board-like objects (e.g.,surfboards, stand-up paddle boards, skateboards, folding beach chairs,etc.) to be carried. The cradle or U-shaped portion 44 can have anysuitable depth or width to carry the desired objects. The U-shapedportions 44 can be removable or adjustable, if desired. For example, inthe illustrated arrangement, the U-shaped portions 44 are connected toupper portions of the carrier arms 40 by a push-pin and hole connection(a “pop-pin” connection) such that the U-shaped portions 44 can beremoved easily and quickly without the use of tools. In someconfigurations, the U-shaped portions 44 can have multiple adjustmentpositions relative to the upper portions of the carrier arms 40 (e.g.,multiple holes that can receive the pop-pins) such that the length ofthe carrier arms 40 or height of the U-shaped portions 44 can beadjusted. Other suitable adjustment arrangements can also be used.

The U-shaped portions 44 can all be the same size and shape or can varyin size and/or shape. For example, the U-shaped portions 44 on one sideof the bicycle 10 can have longer return portions 46 compared to theU-shaped portions 44 on the other side of the bicycle 10, which canfacilitate the carrying of different types of cargo between the twosides of the bicycle 10. Similarly, the widths defined by the U-shapedportions 44 can vary. In some configurations, the widths defined by theU-shaped portions 44 are different on one side of the bicycle 10compared to the widths defined by the U-shaped portions 44 on the otherside of the bicycle 10. In some configurations, the lengths of thereturn portions 46 and/or the widths defined by the U-shaped portions 44are the same on one side of the bicycle 10. That is, the forward andrearward U-shaped portions 44 on one side of the bicycle 10 define thesame width and/or have the same length return portions 46 as oneanother, which can be the same or different from the correspondingdimensions of the U-shaped portions 44 on the other side of the bicycle10.

In some configurations, the rack 22 can support an umbrella holder 50 oran integrated umbrella. The umbrella holder 50 can be supported on thedeck 34 of the rack 22 and secured by a suitable fastening mechanism,such as screws or bolts. The umbrella holder 50 can receive a shaft orpole of the umbrella 28 and can include a clamping mechanism, set screwor other mechanism for fixing the umbrella 28 to the holder 50. Theumbrella holder 50 can be rearwardly canted to hold the shaft or pole ofthe umbrella 28 at a rearward angle. The umbrella 28 shade portion canbe elongate such that the length is greater than the width. The shadeportion of the umbrella 28 can extend from the handlebars 18 of thebicycle 10 to at least a location vertically above the rear wheel 16. Insome configurations, the shade portion of the umbrella 28 can extend toor beyond a rearward-most point of the rear wheel 16. The shade portioncan be of any suitable construction and/or material, such as fabricsupported (e.g., stretched) on a frame structure or a formed unitarystructure, among other possibilities. In at least some configurations,the shade portion of the umbrella 28 can be collapsible.

In some configurations, the forward end of the rack 22 can be coupled tothe seat post, seat tube or other portion of the bicycle frame 12 by anadjustable connector 60. The adjustable connector 60 can be rotatablerelative to the forward end of the rack 22. The adjustable connector 60can have a clamp 62 that is rotatable relative to a main body or armportion 64 of the adjustable connector 60. With such an arrangement, theadjustable connector 60 can be fit to a wide variety of bicycle types,sizes or geometries as a result of both the arm portion 64 and the clamp62 being rotatable relative to the rack 22 or one another. The armportion 64 can be secured to the rack 22 between the rotational clamps42 and/or by any suitable arrangement, such as a clamp. Other suitablearrangements can also be used, such as arms that extend to and areconnectable to rack mounts of the bicycle frame 12.

FIGS. 9-12 illustrate another embodiment of the rack 22, which issimilar in many respects to the rack 22 of FIGS. 1-8. Accordingly, thesame reference numbers refer to the same or corresponding components orfeatures between the two racks 22. In addition, the description of therack 22 of FIGS. 9-12 is focused on the differences relative to the rack22 of FIGS. 1-8. Accordingly, any features or components notspecifically discussed can be the same as or similar to thecorresponding feature or component of the rack 22 of FIGS. 1-8 or can beof another suitable arrangement.

The rack 22 of FIGS. 9-12 includes a single clamp 42 that couples therear carrier arms 40 to the main body 30 of the rack 22. In particular,the arrangement comprises a tubular connector portion 70 that is securedto the rack body 30 by the clamp 42. The carrier arms 40 can besupported by opposing ends of the connector portion 70. In somearrangements the carrier arms 40 can be fixed relative to the connectorportion 70; however, in the illustrated arrangement one or both of thecarrier arms 40 are rotatably adjustable relative to the connectorportion 70. Any suitable adjustment arrangement can be used, such as aclamp arrangement between the connector portion 70 and the carrier arms40. In the illustrated arrangement, a pop-pin connection is providedbetween the connector portion 70 and the carrier arms 40. Theillustrated pop-pin connection provides for angular adjustment between aplurality of possible angular positions; however, the pop-pin connectioncould also provide for a single fixed angular position.

In the illustrated arrangement, the forward carrier arms 40 each have aclamp 42 that connects the respective carrier arm 40 to the rack body30. The clamps 42 are positioned on opposing sides of the adjustableconnector 60. In the illustrated arrangement, each clamp 42 supports anindividual tubular connector portion 70 that is similar to the rearconnection portion 70. The forward tubular connector portions 70 cansupport the respective carrier arm 40 in a fixed or adjustable manner bya pop-pin connection similar to the rear carrier arms 40 or anothersuitable arrangement.

The rack body 30 can include a forward and a rearward support 72, eachof which can be in the form of a support bar. The support bars 72 canextend in a widthwise direction between the side portions 32 of the rack22. The support bars 72 can be connected to each of the side portions32. The support bars 72 provide for connection of the clamps 42 to therack body 30 by any suitable arrangement, such as a clampingarrangement. The side portions 32 can comprise thin, planar elements.The side portions 32 in some arrangements can be cut from a plate ofmaterial to form the shape of a “G,” for example (at least when viewedfrom one side). The side portions 32 can be secured to the bicycle 10 byany suitable arrangement.

In some configurations, the side portions 32 are connected to a rearaxle of the rear wheel 16 of the bicycle 10. In the illustratedarrangement, the side portions 32 are connected to the axle by mountingbrackets 74 that extend downwardly from the side portions 32. Each ofthe brackets 74 has a receptacle or slot 76 that receives the axle ofthe bicycle rear wheel 16. In the illustrated arrangement, each of thebrackets 74 defines a C-shape in cross-section to provide rigidity whileallowing a relatively thin material to be used.

The brackets 74 can be secured to the axle of the rear wheel 16 by anysuitable arrangement. In some configurations, the brackets 74 aresecured to the axle with the nuts or other fasteners used to secure therear wheel 16 to the bicycle 10. However, in other configurations, theaxle may not be long enough to accommodate the brackets 74. FIGS. 13-17illustrate a replacement axle nut 100 and an axle cap 102 that can beused together to secure each of the brackets 74 to the axle of the rearwheel 16. In particular, the axle nut 100 can replace the original axlenut on the bicycle 10 and the bracket 74 can be captured between theaxle nut 100 and the axle cap 102. This arrangement can be used on eachside of the axle of the rear wheel 16 to secure each bracket 74 to thebicycle 10.

The axle nut 100 includes a tool engagement portion 104 that extendsbetween a first flange 106 and a second flange 108. The first flange 106is configured to face the bicycle frame 12 and the second flange 108 isconfigured to face away from the frame 12. The axle nut 100 includes aninternal threaded cavity 110 that passes axially through a portion or anentirety of the nut 100. The internally-threaded cavity 100 receives theaxle of the bicycle rear wheel 16 and allows the nut 100 to secure therear wheel 16 to the bicycle frame 12. The tool engagement portion 104can allow a tool to engage and rotate the nut 100 for tightening orloosening the nut 100.

The nut 100 also includes an externally-threaded extension 112 thatextends from the second flange 108 along the axis of the nut 100 in adirection away from the tool engagement portion 104 and first flange106. The extension 112 is configured to threadably receive the rear axlecap 102. The cap 102 includes an internally-threaded cavity 114 thatextends in an axial direction of the cap 102 and is configured to matewith the extension 112. The cap 102 also includes a tool engagementportion (e.g., a tool engagement cavity) 116 that permits the cap 102 tobe assembled to and disassembled from the axle nut 100. The cap 102 canbe assembled to the extension 112 and can capture the bracket 74 betweenthe cap 102 and the second flange 108.

CONCLUSION

It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may bemade to the herein-described embodiments, the elements of which are tobe understood as being among other acceptable examples. All suchmodifications and variations are intended to be included herein withinthe scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.Moreover, any of the steps described herein can be performedsimultaneously or in an order different from the steps as orderedherein. Moreover, as should be apparent, the features and attributes ofthe specific embodiments disclosed herein may be combined in differentways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scopeof the present disclosure.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,”“might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically statedotherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, isgenerally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, whileother embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/orstates. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended toimply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required forone or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarilyinclude logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting,whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to beperformed in any particular embodiment.

Moreover, the following terminology may have been used herein. Thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to anitem includes reference to one or more items. The term “ones” refers toone, two, or more, and generally applies to the selection of some or allof a quantity. The term “plurality” refers to two or more of an item.The term “about” or “approximately” means that quantities, dimensions,sizes, formulations, parameters, shapes and other characteristics neednot be exact, but may be approximated and/or larger or smaller, asdesired, reflecting acceptable tolerances, conversion factors, roundingoff, measurement error and the like and other factors known to those ofskill in the art. The term “substantially” means that the recitedcharacteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, butthat deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances,measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factorsknown to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do notpreclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format.It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely forconvenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly toinclude not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limitsof the range, but also interpreted to include all of the individualnumerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if eachnumerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration,a numerical range of “about 1 to 5” should be interpreted to include notonly the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but shouldalso be interpreted to also include individual values and sub-rangeswithin the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range areindividual values such as 2, 3 and 4 and sub-ranges such as “about 1 toabout 3,” “about 2 to about 4” and “about 3 to about 5,” “1 to 3,” “2 to4,” “3 to 5,” etc. This same principle applies to ranges reciting onlyone numerical value (e.g., “greater than about 1”) and should applyregardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics beingdescribed. A plurality of items may be presented in a common list forconvenience. However, these lists should be construed as though eachmember of the list is individually identified as a separate and uniquemember. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as ade facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based ontheir presentation in a common group without indications to thecontrary. Furthermore, where the terms “and” and “or” are used inconjunction with a list of items, they are to be interpreted broadly, inthat any one or more of the listed items may be used alone or incombination with other listed items. The term “alternatively” refers toselection of one of two or more alternatives, and is not intended tolimit the selection to only those listed alternatives or to only one ofthe listed alternatives at a time, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bicycle rack, comprising: a rack bodyconfigured to be supported above a wheel of the bicycle and comprisingan upper horizontal support portion that is configured to extend in alongitudinal direction of the bicycle above the wheel; and a pair ofside portions that are configured to extend along and straddle oppositesides of the wheel of the bicycle, wherein each of the pair of sideportions are coupled to the bicycle; wherein each of the side portionsis connectable to an axle of the wheel of the bicycle by a bracket,further comprising an axle nut and an end cap, wherein the end cap isdirectly connectable to the axle nut to capture the bracket between theaxle nut and the end cap.
 2. The bicycle rack of claim 1, wherein therack body supports an umbrella holder.
 3. The bicycle rack of claim 2,wherein the umbrella holder is supported on an upper surface of thedeck.
 4. The bicycle rack of claim 1, wherein the rack body supports anumbrella.
 5. The bicycle rack of claim 1, further comprising anadjustable connector configured to connect a forward end of the rackbody to a seat post, a seat tube or another portion of the bicycle. 6.The bicycle rack of claim 5, wherein the adjustable connector isrotatable relative to the forward end of the rack body.
 7. The bicyclerack of claim 1, wherein the axle nut comprises an internal threadedcavity, a tool engagement portion and an external threaded extension,which extends from an opposite side of a flange relative to the toolengagement portion, wherein the end cap is configured to engage theexternal threaded extension of the axle nut such that the bracket iscaptured between the end cap and the flange.
 8. The bicycle rack ofclaim 1, further comprising a first set of carrier arms coupled to aside of the rack body and a second set of carrier arms coupled to anopposite side of the rack body, wherein at least one of each of thefirst set of carrier arms and the second set of carrier arms isadjustable relative to the rack body.
 9. The bicycle rack of claim 8,wherein each of the first set and the second set of carrier armscomprises an individual carrier arm at each of a forward end and arearward end of the rack body.
 10. The bicycle rack of claim 8, whereinthe adjustable carrier arms are rotatable with respect to the rack body.11. The bicycle rack of claim 10, wherein the adjustable carrier armsare movable between a plurality of discrete adjustment positions. 12.The bicycle rack of claim 11, wherein the adjustable carrier arms aremovable between the plurality of discrete adjustment positions withoutthe use of tools.
 13. The bicycle rack of claim 8, wherein each of theindividual carrier arms of at least one of the first and second set ofcarrier arms comprise a U-shaped cradle.
 14. A bicycle, comprising: abicycle frame supporting a front wheel and a rear wheel; a handlebarconfigured to steer the front wheel; a seat; a rack body configured tobe supported above the rear wheel of the bicycle and comprising a deckportion that is configured to extend in a longitudinal direction of thebicycle above the rear wheel; and a pair of side portions that areconfigured to extend along and straddle opposite sides of the rear wheelof the bicycle, wherein each of the pair of side portions are coupled tothe bicycle; wherein each of the side portions is connectable to an axleof the wheel of the bicycle by a bracket, further comprising an axle nutand an end cap, wherein the end cap is directly connectable to the axlenut to capture the bracket between the axle nut and the end cap.
 15. Thebicycle of claim 14, wherein the rack body supports an umbrella.
 16. Thebicycle of claim 15, wherein the umbrella is configured to extend fromthe handlebar to a location vertically above the rear wheel of thebicycle.
 17. The bicycle of claim 14, further comprising an adjustableconnector configured to connect a forward end of the rack body to a seatpost, a seat tube or another portion of the bicycle.
 18. The bicycle ofclaim 14, wherein the axle nut comprises an internal threaded cavity, atool engagement portion and an external threaded extension, whichextends from an opposite side of a flange relative to the toolengagement portion, wherein the end cap is configured to engage theexternal threaded extension of the axle nut such that the bracket iscaptured between the end cap and the flange.
 19. The bicycle of claim14, further comprising a first set of carrier arms coupled to a side ofthe rack body and a second set of carrier arms coupled to an oppositeside of the rack body, wherein at least one of each of the first set ofcarrier arms and the second set of carrier arms is adjustable relativeto the rack body.
 20. The bicycle of claim 19, wherein the adjustablecarrier arms are rotatable with respect to the rack body.
 21. Thebicycle of claim 20, wherein the adjustable carrier arms are movablebetween a plurality of discrete adjustment positions.
 22. The bicycle ofclaim 19, wherein each of the individual carrier arms of at least one ofthe first and second set of carrier arms comprise a U-shaped cradle.